– Maybe yes, maybe no: Center Denis Savard tested his sprained left ankle at a late Monday afternoon practice, but left the ice early as a result of the pain he felt when he cut on his skates and attempted to shoot. ”It doesn`t hurt to walk now, but when I turn on it, there is pain,” he said. Savard couldn`t predict whether he would be able to play Wednesday against Buffalo in the Stadium.
The Hawks medical list is clearing up, however. Defenseman Steve Konroyd practiced Monday, as well as forwards Troy Murray and Mike Hudson, and there is the possibility all three could return against Buffalo. Hudson`s hand won`t be at full strength if he comes back from the laceration injury in which it was sliced by a skate, but it`ll be coach Mike Keenan`s judgment whether that factor is enough to keep Hudson sidelined.
– Awards pile up: Pretty soon, Blackhawks winger Steve Larmer won`t qualify for the NHL`s most underrated players list. On the heels of his first All-Star Game appearance, Larmer was named NHL Player of the Week for his four goals and three assists in three games last week. Larmer edged out another Norris Division opponent, Minnesota`s Brian Bellows, and New York Islanders goalie Glenn Healy for the award. Bellows had eight points in three games and Healy was 2-0 with a shutout and 2.00 goals-against average.
As a bonus to their All-Star efforts, Larmer and defenseman Doug Wilson were allowed to miss Monday`s practice. They surely will be sorry about that because the workout concluded with some hard skating back and forth, one of the players` least favorite drills.
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– A charge of Sabres: Because the Hawks play three of their next nine games against Buffalo, Chicago fans will get a good look at the Sabres, one of this season`s best teams. The Sabres` goaltending tandem of All-Star Daren Puppa
(2.85) and Clint Malarchuk share a 3.15 team goals-against average, which is third in the NHL behind Boston and Montreal. Wednesday`s game also marks the return to Chicago of former Hawk Rick Vaive, who has 28 points (18 goals). Adam Creighton, the acquisition in the Vaive trade, has 49 points and leads the Hawks with 25 goals.